Volunteer experience: reintroduction of the tití cabeciblanco in tropical dry forest · 35 km from Cartagena
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At a glance
Duration
6 hours
Morning shift 7 AM – 1 PM · Afternoon shift 12 PM – 6 PM
Price
USD $150 per person
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. Everything included.
Group
Max. 5 people per guide
Small groups, bilingual guide Spanish/English.
Minimum age
7 years
No maximum age. Suitable for people in good physical condition.
What's included
Everything, no extras
Private door-to-door transport + breakfast + lunch + bilingual guide + activity + native tree planting.
Tree planting included
A native tree
Each visitor plants their own tree in the tropical dry forest restoration area.
Location
Villanueva, Bolívar
35 km from Cartagena · view on Google Maps →
Languages
Spanish and English
Volunteer experience: the return of the tití cabeciblanco to the tropical dry forest.
The tití cabeciblanco (Saguinus oedipus) is endemic to the Colombian Caribbean and one of the most threatened primate species in the world. Spending a day as a volunteer in its reintroduction process means getting close to the real work of conservation: food preparation, behavioral observation, monitoring of semi-free-ranging groups, and data recording for the foundation's scientific protocols.
The day starts with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a technical talk on the wildlife management model: rehabilitation, semi-freedom, soft release, and post-release monitoring. Then you join the team's actual tasks — always with minimal handling, always respecting the individual animal's autonomy. You walk through the tropical dry forest restoration zones, help plant native trees from the tití's habitat, and visit the forest nursery.
Why this work matters: 35 km from Cartagena.
The tití cabeciblanco depends on the tropical dry forest, one of Colombia's most threatened ecosystems. Fundación Loros's reserve in Villanueva, Bolívar protects 1,300 acres of the habitat to which the foundation returns not only psittacines but also other native species of the shared forest. Your participation is one hour of real work inside an auditable protocol.
The full value of your experience is reinvested in the foundation's mission: rehabilitation, post-release monitoring, shared habitat restoration, and partnerships with farming families who protect the territory.
"We also got to see the cotton-top tamarins, which was another incredible highlight. Honestly, the foundation is doing amazing things." — Wander, Tripadvisor (mayo 2025)
Itinerary
How your day looks
Choose the shift that works best for you. Both cover all Stations of El Sendero hacia la Libertad — only the start time changes.
7:00
12:00
60 min
Pickup at your hotel
We pick you up in Cartagena in private door-to-door transport. About 1 hour to Villanueva, Bolívar.
8:00
13:00
30 min
Arrival and breakfast by the lake
Welcome breakfast made with ingredients from our farm.
8:30
13:30
30 min
Conservation talk
How the foundation works: rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoration of the tropical dry forest.
9:00
14:00
150 min
Volunteer experience with cotton-top tamarin
Real field team tasks: food preparation, behavior observation, monitoring of semi-free flocks, and data recording.
11:30
16:30
30 min
Farm lunch
Lunch made with local ingredients and our own produce.
12:00
17:00
30 min
Plant your native tree
You plant your own native tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone. It's your physical legacy — the same tree that tomorrow will give food and shelter to the released parrots.
12:30
17:30
30 min
Farewell and return
We return to Cartagena by private transport. Estimated arrival at 13:00 (morning shift) or 18:00 (afternoon shift).
The Trail to Freedom
Your place on the trail
Each experience covers some of the 11 stations in the real rehabilitation and reintegration process. The ones you'll go through are highlighted.
Breakfast at the Lake
Fruit Kitchen
Feeding the birds
Aversion training
Trail of the tití cabeciblanco
Nursery · tree selection
Horseback ride along the trail
Release point
Agroecological station
Commemorative tree planting
Toast and certificate
Station 5 · Tití Monkeys
Freedom isn't always solitary. Sometimes it's built together.
Sanctuary team · Fundación Loros
The impact behind your visit
Real numbers from the foundation's work
Every experience you book funds this measurable, verifiable work. These are the numbers behind Colombia's only specialized center for psittacines.
60+
Birds released and site-faithful
Parrots and macaws that flew back to the forest
200+
Birds in active rehabilitation
Rescued from illegal trade and in the process of reintegration
500 ha
Protected tropical dry forest
One of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean
20.000+
Trees planted in the reserve
Nursery on-site · native and fruit-tree species
80
Years of longevity
What a parrot or macaw can go through
1.000+
Parrots seized per year in Colombia
The reason the Foundation exists
Voices of the Forest
Meeting the tití cabeciblanco
We also got to see the Cotton-top tamarins, which was another incredible highlight. Honestly, the foundation is doing amazing things.
Wander
Tripadvisor · Mayo 2025
Coming from West Africa, I was amazed by the diversity of species here. The foundation's work is truly inspiring.
berekum-ghana· Ghana
Tripadvisor · 2025
Save the animals, save your soul — this place does both. The macaws, monkeys and horses all stole my heart.
sheylac
Tripadvisor · 2025
This was one of the highlights of our time in Cartagena. The guide was so knowledgeable about the animals, and getting up close with the monkeys was unforgettable.
David Frank
Viator · Febrero 2026
Es una experiencia única, es un santuario para el cuidado y conservación de loros, cotorras y guacamayas, muy buena actividad para la protección de la fauna silvestre, la atención muy buena.
Manfredo· Guatemala
Airbnb · Diciembre 2025
These testimonials are real customer reviews. They can be verified on:
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide español/inglés, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.
Do you offer discounts for children or groups?+
Children up to 16 pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 or special inquiries, use the inquiry button and we'll send you a custom quote.
What is the minimum and maximum age?+
The minimum age is 7 years. There is no maximum age — the experience suits people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the level of exertion for your group, contact us.
What size are the groups?+
We work with small groups: a maximum of 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.
What should I bring?+
Comfortable, light clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), a cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long trousers are better.
Where do we get picked up, and at what time?+
We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. Two shifts are available: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact point and time are confirmed 24 hours in advance by WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or rescheduling.
Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?+
Some experiences involve hiking on uneven terrain. For guests with limited mobility, we have adapted options (UTV tours, observation from the farm). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put together something that works for you.
What languages is the experience offered in?+
All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
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